There are cultural differences regarding health, wellness, hygiene and grooming. Having grown up in India and traveled to other countries, this became more acutely clear to me. Some of the lifestyle differences include the use of water versus toilet paper and showers versus bucket baths etc. (1, 2). Similarly, dental hygiene also has cultural differences. There are several practices that are rooted in the local geographical, dietary and regional lifestyle and cultural practices of a place.  Sometimes, advancements in dental science do not trickle over coherently past cultural barriers. This is where appropriate, current and culturally adapted education comes in. 

We need to use the modern scientific knowledge in dentistry and adapt it by using existing techniques and practices for dental health in India. For dental hygiene in India, several mainstream practices include brushing, rinsing after every meal, use of fennel seeds (3) and other mixtures. These act as mouth fresheners and also indirectly floss the teeth. There are also various Ayurvedic and herbal ‘oil-pulling’ solutions available. Flossing, as known in the western world, is extremely rare (4). Articles that mention flossing the teeth every day, would not be easily understood or translated into the Indian cultural context.

There is such a thing called ‘Datun’ (5). This is a chewable twig from either a Neem or Babool tree, which functionally acts as floss. The Neem tree is known to have several antibacterial properties (6). The Babool is also known for its gum strengthening and oral health benefits (7,8). Preventing tooth decay is a huge benefit of dental hygiene. The chewing of the tree twigs aids in that.

However, there is inconsistent availability and usage of the Datun, especially in cities (9). Flossing, either with these (in cities) or a standard floss, is quite rare.

This is where dental education can come in. The current information on dental practices is usually aligned to western diets, lifestyles and habits. There is a need for translatable education on preventative dental health practices. This can assist in improving care for the large population of people living in the Indian sub-continent, especially in the cities.

Other aspects of dental hygiene also include the selection of appropriate toothbrushes, the importance of brushing twice a day and the use of oil pulling agents (10).

Knowledge about Datun could allow for increased demand, which in turn, could lead to more products based on them, being created. With the packaging and design created to appeal to the city residents, there could be dental health products in the market, that combine traditional wisdom with modern dentistry.

Establishing a routine of care, to prevent dental diseases could include: brushing twice a day, flossing with locally sourced materials, rinsing after every meal and being conscious of dental health and its impact on overall health and well-being. Increasing the understanding and knowledge of dental hygiene, would go a long way, in improving oral health and outcomes, crossing over cultural borders and lifestyle differences.

A professional dentist is ultimately the reliable source of information for individual cases. The opinions in this article are some thoughts on improving dental health in India, through the emphasis on combining traditional and modern methods and knowledge.

CTA:  What is your take on education for preventative oral health? Please feel free to leave your comments below. 

References:

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7574014/

2. https://fsm.how/hygiene-sanitation-waste-mgt/traditional-hygiene-practices-india/

3. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335840673_Saunf_Do_we_really_need_fennel_seeds_after_a_meal

4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6714418/

5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4095631/

6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9195866/

7. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4149135/

8. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781394167197.ch31

9. https://www.researchgate.net/ublication/314103387_Evaluation_of_Oral_Hygiene_Practices_in_an_Urban_Indian_Population

10. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5654187/

Photo credits:

Photo by Enis Yavuz on Unsplash

Disclaimer: The opinions provided here are those of the author from general awareness and do not constitute professional medical advice. Any product recommendations made on this site are made freely and are not paid endorsements.

Anyone who has had to get dental work done, especially non-consmetic dentistry, understands that it is not always a pleasant experience.

Cavities, fillings, root canals, crowns and extractions are not necessarily enjoyable terms to hear at a dental visit.

Yet, somehow, dental health seems to be an issue that could get put on a backburner, until a toothache erupts. One can tend to focus on weight gain and loss, fat build up and other parameters of good health. Perhaps weight gain is more noticeable by oneself and family than dental health.

Unless there is pain or a ‘stench’, one might not notice dental health slipping away.

As someone who has had a painful tooth extraction in the past would know, it is very hard to enjoy foods if there is pain or discomfort with the teeth or surrounding areas.

So, here are some simple tips to maintain the oral health:

1. Do not use teeth as tools. Sometimes, it may be tempting to just use one’s teeth to open something, shell a nut or any other task that is not necessarily related to their intended function of chewing food. Using teeth as tools could cause damage to the teeth 1¹.
2. Brushing twice a day. This is a basic practice that many people are aware of. It is best to brush once in the morning and once at night before going to bed, to prevent dental decay.
3. Flossing. Using a good floss, suited to one’s taste, at least once a day is very helpful in preventing build up between teeth and helps prevent cavities 2². One can also use a ‘waterpik powerflosser‘ or other products that make flossing easier.
4. Rinsing after every meal. This practice, albeit being part of several cultures, is not universally followed. It is very helpful to rinse one’s mouth thoroughly after every meal or snack. Using a salt solution to rinse out the mouth after meals, is an especially helpful practice.
5. Using coconut oil rinses. This practice is as simple as it sounds. A spoonful of coconut oil, swirled around in the mouth, can have many benefits, especially against cavity formation 3³ .
6. Using a suitable toothpaste. Lastly, using a toothpaste suitable to one’s dental health, can make a big difference towards dental health. There are several types of toothpaste targeted towards ‘sensitive teeth’. Tooth sensitivity could be reflected as pain, triggered by consuming hot or cold substances. There can also be other triggers such as eating something sweet or sour. There are toothpastes selectively aimed at reducing tooth sensitivity. There are also toothpastes that have high fluoride content, intended towards stalling tooth decay. Herbal toothpastes offer various benefits, while using naturally occurring herbs or organic substances. Some examples for these include, ‘Meswak‘ or ‘K.P.Nambudari’s‘ toothpaste.
7. Avoiding unnecessary dental procedures for cosmetic purposes. Needless to say, destroying natural teeth in order to improve their cosmetic design involves some damage to the teeth or gums involved. Cosmetic dentistry might be required in some situations. However, one must be aware of the pros and cons of the procedures.
8. Regular dental visits to detect problems early on. It is hardly a question that well-visits are often preferred to visits necessitated by dental pain. Hence, regular dental check ups and cleanings might prevent cavities and bigger problems in the future.

Overall, staying aware of dental health and creating daily habits, that promote oral hygiene are all very important aspects of ensuring dental well-being and avoiding painful dental treatments and procedures in the future.

References:

Photo credits:

Photo by Superkitina on Unsplash

Disclaimer: The opinions provided here are those of the author from general awareness and do not constitute professional medical advice. Any product recommendations made on this site are made freely and are not paid endorsements.